Scottish Executive

Air Services

Elaine Thomson (Aberdeen North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to support tourism in the north east, in light of the decision by a tour operator to cease flights from Aberdeen airport.

Mike Watson: The Scottish Executive will continue to encourage the development of air services to and from Scotland for the benefit of the travelling public and the Scottish Economy. This is a matter that we discuss regularly with the Enterprise Networks, VisitScotland and the airport operators.

Arts

Iain Smith (North-East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to make a decision on the request by the Scottish Arts Council for an extra £4 million to support the funding of theatre in Scotland.

Dr Elaine Murray: The Scottish Arts Council's submission on Scottish theatre seeks significant additional funding. It also raises a number of detailed issues relating to the theatre sector which we are examining with care. That consideration is proceeding and we hope to make a statement soon.

Arts

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin & Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken, or are planned by it or by other bodies on its behalf, to increase the numbers of people seeing, hearing and participating in the arts.

Dr Elaine Murray: The Executive fully recognises the importance of promoting access in the arts and boosting participation, and these are areas which continue to receive considerable attention. We have allocated additional funds to the National Museum of Scotland to allow it to abolish entrance charges and to the National Institutions and National Companies for them to devote staffing and resources to valuable outreach work. The Scottish Arts Council also launched its first policy for Contemporary Popular Music in March 2001 to encourage participation and involvement in quality popular music by young Scots. A wide range of other steps, planned and being taken, are set out in the First Annual Report on the implementation of the National Cultural Strategy which was presented to Parliament in October.

Arts

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin & Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what support and encouragement it gives, or plans to give, to attracting new audiences to the arts.

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin & Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what support and encouragement it gives, or plans to give, to attracting new audiences to the arts from socially and economically disadvantaged groups.

Dr Elaine Murray: The Executive announced on 25 October that additional support would be given to audience development initiatives aiming to bring people into contact with the arts. I am delighted to say that this year an additional £50,000 is being devoted specifically for this purpose and a further £50,000 to projects which promote access and participation in the arts and culture by socially excluded groups. Plans for these initiatives are being taken forward by the Scottish Arts Council. This is in addition to the wide range of initiatives and research already funded by the council under its £0.5 million Audience and Sales Development Lottery scheme and the £120,000 voted funds allocated for audience development, including the maintenance of a full-time Audience Development Officer at the council. Also, the council's social inclusion scheme has given, or is about to give, support to about 30 of the 48 Social Inclusion Partnerships to establish arts projects within local communities.

Arts

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin & Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what support and encouragement it gives, or plans to give, to improving access to arts events, including improving ticket purchase systems, for socially and economically disadvantaged people and communities.

Dr Elaine Murray: As part of the Scottish Arts Council's £0.5 million lottery funding scheme for audience and sales development the council has funded a range of training programmes for marketing staff in arts organisations throughout the country including those in socially and economically disadvantaged communities. The most recent of these was a marketeers forum hosted by the council on 28 November where over 100 marketing officers from arts organisations attended. The council will also continue to work with local authorities to support access to the arts for socially and economically disadvantaged people and communities.

Arts

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin & Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what support and encouragement it gives, or plans to give, to funding bodies for the arts in respect of marketing arts events to socially and economically disadvantaged people and communities.

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin & Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance or instructions it issues, or plans to issue, to funding bodies for the arts on marketing arts events to socially and economically disadvantaged people and communities.

Dr Elaine Murray: The National Cultural Strategy  includes a key priority to develop wider opportunities for cultural access. Increasing access to the arts is therefore a priority for the Executive and audience development is an important aspect of this. Scottish funding bodies and public sector arts providers are aware of this emphasis and the Scottish Arts Council, as part of its £0.5 million lottery funding scheme for audience and sales development, is exploring ways to market arts events to all possible audiences including those affected by social exclusion. The local authorities' contribution is being considered by a working group of the Executive and COSLA with a view to developing guidelines setting out best practice.

Arts

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin & Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what support and encouragement it gives, or plans to give, to funding bodies for the arts in respect of targeting arts events to socially and economically disadvantaged people and communities.

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin & Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance or instructions it issues, or plans to issue, to funding bodies for the arts on targeting arts events to socially and economically disadvantaged people and communities.

Dr Elaine Murray: In awarding to the Scottish Arts Council £15.2 million in additional funding over the period of the spending review, the Executive made clear the importance it attached to work in disadvantaged areas. This reflects our priorities set out in the National Cultural Strategy , which was launched last year. It included a key priority to maximise the social benefits of culture. The First Annual Report on the implementation of the strategy published on 25 October set out a wide range of actions taken and planned to maximise culture's contribution to promoting social justice. We will continue to work with the local authorities and the council to maximise the benefit of the arts in these communities.

Arts

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin & Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what support and encouragement it gives, or plans to give, to funding bodies for the arts in respect of offering incentives to artists and arts companies to target new audiences among socially and economically disadvantaged people and communities.

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin & Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance or instructions it issues, or plans to issue, to funding bodies for the arts on offering incentives to artists and arts companies to target new audiences among socially and economically disadvantaged citizens and communities.

Dr Elaine Murray: The Executive set out its priorities for the arts and culture in the National Cultural Strategy which was launched last year. It included a key priority to maximise the social benefits of culture. The Scottish Arts Council is exploring the aspect of audience development and its important role in the social justice agenda. The Executive announced on 25 October that additional support would be given to audience development initiatives aiming to bring people into contact with the arts. I am delighted to say that this year an additional £50,000 is being devoted specifically for this purpose and a further £50,000 to projects which promote access and participation in the arts and culture by socially excluded groups. Plans for these initiatives are being taken forward by the Scottish Arts Council.

Central Heating

Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating systems have been installed by EAGA Partnerships (Scotland) since it was awarded the contract.

Iain Gray: Eaga have installed over 150 central heating systems in the private sector since its appointment on 29 August. Over 3,500 heating systems will be installed by Eaga by March 2002.

Dental Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many posts for orthodontic practitioners (a) exist and (b) are vacant in each health board area.

Malcolm Chisholm: The following table shows orthodontist posts in NHSScotland hospitals and vacancy information for hospital consultants, together with information on the number of NHS General Dental Services orthodontic practitioners. The data are shown as headcount.

  Orthodontists by Health Board – Staff in Post and Vacancy Information

  

 

Hospital Orthodontists (at 30/09/2000) 
  

NHS General Dental Services Orthodontic 
  Practitioners in Post4,5,6




Consultants in Post 
  

Consultant Vacancies1,2


Other Grades in Post3


30/09/2000 
  

30/09/2001 
  



Scotland 
  

26 
  

2 
  

50 
  

70 
  

70 
  



Argyll & Clyde 
  

2 
  

0 
  

2 
  

7 
  

8 
  



Ayrshire & Arran 
  

2 
  

0 
  

1 
  

5 
  

5 
  



Borders 
  

1 
  

0 
  

0 
  

1 
  

1 
  



Dumfries & Galloway 
  

1 
  

0 
  

1 
  

0 
  

0 
  



Fife 
  

1 
  

0 
  

11 
  

8 
  

7 
  



Forth Valley 
  

3 
  

0 
  

1 
  

4 
  

4 
  



Grampian 
  

1 
  

1 
  

4 
  

4 
  

4 
  



Greater Glasgow 
  

5 
  

1 
  

10 
  

20 
  

17 
  



Highland 
  

2 
  

0 
  

4 
  

0 
  

0 
  



Lanarkshire 
  

3 
  

0 
  

0 
  

10 
  

13 
  



Lothian 
  

2 
  

0 
  

3 
  

18 
  

20 
  



Orkney 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



Shetland 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



Tayside 
  

3 
  

0 
  

10 
  

7 
  

5 
  



Western Isles 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



Common Services Agency 
  

0 
  

0 
  

3 
  

0 
  

0 
  



  Source: Medical and Dental Census at 30 September 2000 and is provisional, ISD Scotland.

  Notes:

  1. A vacancy is defined as a post which is funded but unoccupied at 30 September. Funded means money is avaliable and a decision has been made to fill the post.

  2. Vacancies are those posts vacant as 30 September 2000 irrespective of when the vacancy arose.

  3. Comprises Associate Specialist, Staff Grade, Specialist Registrar, Senior House Officer, Dental Advisor, Hospital Practitioner and GDP (para 107 appointment).

  4. Some NHS General Dental Services practitioners provide orthodontic treatment only.

  These dentists are known as NHS General Dental Services orthodontic practitioners.

  All NHS General Dental Services practitioners, which included NHS General Dental Services orthodontic practitioner, enter into a contract with their local Primary Care Trust (PCT) or Island NHS Board (HB).

  5. An NHS General Dental Services practitioner may have (i) more than one contract with a PCT/HB if he/she has more than one practice; (ii) a contract with more than one PCT/HB if he/she practises in more than one PCT/HB area.

  As a result, the sum of the number of NHS General Dental Services orthodontic practitioners working in each PCT/HB area exceeds the total number of NHS General Dental Services orthodontic practitioners in Scotland.

  6. Some orthodontic treatment can also be provided by General Dental Services practitioner who do not specialise in orthodontics.

Dental Health

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to its news release SE4352/2001 of 15 November 2001, what proportion of the additional £758,480 allocated to the Greater Glasgow NHS Board for dental health will be spent on children’s oral health.

Malcolm Chisholm: Under the scheme announced on 15 November, it is for the Primary Care Trust to agree with the dental profession locally how best to target the available funding. One of the areas in which we have indicated we wish to see this funding used is to make practices more child-friendly.

  On 21 November, there was also an announcement about the introduction of a caries prevention scheme, including fissure sealing and preventative work, for six and seven-year-olds in Scotland.

Domestic Abuse

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made by the National Group to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland towards the establishment of specific issue-based working groups, as detailed in Preventing Violence Against Women: Action Across the Scottish Executive .

Ms Margaret Curran: Three issue-based working groups have recently been established by the National Group to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland. These are: a working group to review all current legislation relating to domestic abuse, a working group to review current recommendations on levels of refuge provision in Scotland and a working group to prepare a prevention strategy. The Prevention Strategy Working Group met for the first time on 20 November, the other two groups will meet later this month.

Education

Marilyn Livingstone (Kirkcaldy) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it is seeking to improve information and communications technology in the classroom.

Nicol Stephen: Scottish ministers have, through the Excellence Fund and the National Grid for Learning, made investment in information and communications technology for our schools a priority. We are now seeing a significant increase in the number of modern computers in every school and almost all secondary schools are connected to the internet.

  The next stage is the provision of broadband access. This will allow far greater use of online sound and video, making use of the internet in schools more interactive and more exciting.

Education

Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions an education authority has sought alterations to a draft report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education on a school within that authority’s area.

Cathy Jamieson: It is the practice of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) to show all draft reports to the relevant education authority, headteacher and school board chair before publication. Any additional evidence provided at this stage is taken into account by HMIE as they finalise the report.

Enterprise

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive for which commercial and industrial sectors (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise have planned, or are planning, to develop strategies and what level of resources has been allocated to each such sector strategy.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The Enterprise Network’s activities in the commercial and industrial sectors stem directly from the Executive’s strategy A Smart, Successful Scotland , whose key themes are Growing Businesses, Learning and Skills, and Global Connections. In addition, Highlands and Islands Enterprise discharges its responsibility for social development through the strategic theme of Strengthening Communities.

  Resource allocations made by the networks in response to this strategic framework are not normally specific to individual sectors. They relate to the opportunities and need for activities such as training, product development, marketing, business start-up, property provision and business development finance across a wide range of sectors.

  However, Scottish Enterprise currently has in place specific strategies for the following industrial sectors:

  

 

Total Spend
(£ million) 
  

Over Period of 
  



Announced in 1999 
  



Biotechnology 
  

 38 
  

5 years 
  



Semi-Conductors 
  

 46 
  

5 years 
  



Food and Drink 
  

 27 
  

5 years 
  



Announced in 2000 
  



Optoelectronics 
  

 31 
  

5 years 
  



Creative Industries 
  

 25 
  

5 years 
  



Forest Industries 
  

 15 
  

3 years 
  



Announced in 2001 
  



Tourism 
  

 11 per annum 
  

-

Enterprise

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to ensure that firms involved in the design, development and manufacture of renewable technology benefit from any increased demand created by the forthcoming Renewables Obligation (Scotland).

Ross Finnie: We have been working with Scottish Enterprise to encourage Scottish companies to diversify into the manufacturing opportunities which are arising from development of renewable energy sources under the Executive’s proposed Renewables Obligation (Scotland). A roadshow on the subject was well attended by companies, and several of them are now pursuing opportunities for new business. We will continue to promote the renewables industry, to attract investment to Scotland and to help Scottish companies take advantage of this new business opportunity.

Environment

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive who will represent Scotland at the North Sea Conference in March 2002 and whether Scotland will be represented in its own right.

Ross Finnie: Matters involving international relations, as well as many of the individual issues likely to be discussed at next year's North Sea Conference, are reserved to Westminster. The Scottish Executive is, however, contributing to the preparations for the conference where policy has been devolved. We are currently considering arrangements for attendance at the conference by ministers and officials.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the Fisheries Council held in Brussels on 27 November 2001.

Ross Finnie: My officials attended the council as part of the UK Delegation.

  The council discussed a Commission proposal to extend the fourth Multi-Annual Guidance Programme (MAGP IV) for a further year as a transitional measure pending the outcome of the Common Fisheries Policy review next year. MAGP IV sets targets for reducing capacity and effort of EU fishing fleets and is due to expire at the end of this year. The UK supported the Commission in its proposals to extend targets into 2002 and to tighten the rules on public aid for vessel modernisation and construction, in order to ensure that such aid does not increase capacity beyond the set limits. However, there was disagreement among member states about the way forward and this issue is likely to be reconsidered at the December council.

  The council discussed the difficult negotiations with the North Atlantic coastal states about setting a total allowable catch for blue whiting for 2002, taking account of scientific advice that this stock is being heavily over-fished and is therefore at risk of collapse. The Commission was given a steer by ministers to seek to negotiate an agreed TAC at a further meeting of coastal states next month in order to secure sustainable exploitation of this stock.

  The council received a report from the Commission on monitoring of enforcement of CFP rules in Community waters and noted the Commission’s concerns about variations across members states in the level of enforcement and penalties for infringements. The Commission will be bringing forward proposals to address these concerns as part of the CFP Review.

  The council agreed a restructuring package for that part of the Spanish and Portuguese fleets which formerly fished in Moroccan waters, following the termination of the fisheries agreement between the EU and Morocco. The UK and several other member states made it clear that they expect Spain and Portugal to ensure that any residual vessels modernised with EU funds under this package will not fish in EU waters. There was also agreement on a renewed fisheries agreement between the EU and Mauritania.

  The Commission reported to ministers on an outline timetable for dealing with the reform of the CFP during 2002. The commission also reminded members of the importance of ratifying as soon as practicable the UN agreement on straddling stocks.

Fisheries

Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what in-year adjustments it has made to the performance targets set for the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency in 2001-02.

Ross Finnie: The performance targets for the agency were announced on 5 June 2001 but since then, the agency has redirected its resources to increase the level of verification of pelagic landings and to focus more effort on combating non-compliance of the landing declaration regulations. In recognition of these changed priorities I have amended two targets as follows:

  Sea Fisheries Inspectorate

  

 

Original Target 
  

Revised Target 
  



Catches physically inspected and checked against landing 
  declarations by over 10 metre vessels. 
  

47% 
  

45% 
  



Cost per catch inspection. 
  

£92 
  

£102

Genetically Modified Crops

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Executive will reconsider its policies on genetically modified (GM) crops.

Mr Jack McConnell: Our policy is clear. Firstly, there should be no commercial production of GM crops until the possible effects on the environment of growing them are thoroughly investigated. Secondly, the Scottish Executive is absolutely committed to the involvement of local communities in this issue and we are consulting how best that will be done.

Genetically Modified Crops

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to any difference in growth between the genetically modified (GM) oil-seed rape and the normal oil-seed rape with which it is being compared at the GM field trial at Roskil farm on the Black Isle.

Ross Finnie: The farm scale evaluation programme is concerned with effects on biodiversity. The relative rate of growth of the GM and conventional crops is not one of the key indicators of the programme.

  However, scientists overseeing these trials across the UK note any major differences between the crops over the entire cropping cycle and will consider these as part of their final analysis.

Health

Mr Keith Raffan (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD): To ask the First Minister what the estimated cost of absences from work due to illness was in the last financial year for which figures are available.

Mr Jack McConnell: About 10 million working days are lost in Scotland each year due to illness, which is equivalent to just over 2% of all working days. We estimate that the direct costs to the economy are around £800 million.

Health

Mr Keith Harding (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether incidence of breathing-related illness is higher than the national average in the communities of Ballingry and Lochore in Fife.

Malcolm Chisholm: Information about the incidence of breathing related illness specific to the communities of Ballingry and Lochore is not held centrally.

  However, lung disease represents one of the major elements of the care provided by NHSScotland. Smoking is the greatest single cause of preventable disease in Scotland, including lung disease. The Executive has introduced a comprehensive range of measures to reduce smoking levels.

  In addition, the Chief Scientist Office, the Health Department body responsible for sponsoring research, is investing £3.5 million in 36 projects related to lung disease.

Health

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to promote healthy lifestyles to improve the future health of young people.

Malcolm Chisholm: The public health strategy set out in the White Paper, Towards a Healthier Scotland , identifies the promotion of healthy lifestyles as one of its three key action levels. It outlines a range of measures to address smoking, drug misuse, alcohol misuse, physical activity and diet, including measures particularly relevant to young people. In addition, the £100 million Health Improvement Fund is being used on a national and local basis throughout Scotland in order to drive forward improvements in public health.

Health

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the introduction of Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guidelines for renal services in the NHS.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) is an independent body, and decisions on proposals for the introduction of guidelines are a matter for the SIGN Council to consider. They are always willing to consider topics for new guidelines, but would need to consider how these could be fitted into the existing programme.

Health

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to investigate the prevention and management of renal disease.

Malcolm Chisholm: Prevention of renal disease needs to concentrate on the main causes, diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure). In relation to diabetes, the Executive has developed a Scottish Diabetes Framework which covers prevention and early detection, as well as a section on kidney problems. Reduction of hypertension is dealt with in the CHD/Stroke Task Force report, currently out for consultation, and our national demonstration project, Have a Heart Paisley. Work on Scotland’s diet, especially reducing the amount of salt in food, also plays a significant role. Initiatives to reduce high blood pressure will be beneficial in relation to renal disease as well as to CHD.

  The standards being developed by the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland in conjunction with the Scottish Renal Association will ensure that the management of renal disease continues to be of the highest quality. These are currently the subject of consultation.

Health

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the current remit is of the renal sub-group of the NHS Acute Services Review and what plans it has to implement any recommendations the sub-group has made or may make.

Malcolm Chisholm: Renal disease was a major focus of attention during the Acute Services Review. The views of the Renal Disease Sub-Group were incorporated in the Report of the Review, which was published in June 1998. The Sub-Group ceased to exist once it had reported to the Acute Services Group, which has been responsible for implementation of the main recommendations of the review.

Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria have to be met by anyone appointed to the board of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd.

Lewis Macdonald: The criteria used when selecting members to the Board of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) are:

  Skills 

  Analytical and strategic skills;

  Effective presentational, communication and negotiating skills;

  Ability to provide inspiration and motivation for the HIAL Board, and

  *Ability to speak Gaelic.

  Knowledge

  Broad knowledge of Highlands and Islands issues;

  Knowledge of aviation/transport issues, and

  *Knowledge of NDPBs/Nationalised Industries and the Public Policy Framework.

  Experience

  Proven experience at a senior level in the areas of business, finance, local government (aviation/transport).

  Qualifications

  Qualifications and/or experience in relevant subjects and issues such as business, finance, local government (aviation or transport).

  * Desirable criteria (the remainder are necessary criteria).

Individual Learning Accounts

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the 220,000 Individual Learning Accounts referred to by the First Minister on 25 October 2001 were recorded as active on 25 November 2001.

Ms Wendy Alexander: Of the 245,420 Individual Learning Accounts open at 19 November, almost 110,000 were active.

Less Favoured Areas

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the revision of the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme so that it targets aid more effectively to peripheral areas.

Ross Finnie: I announced improvements to the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme for 2002 last week. These have been welcomed by the Scottish industry. The measures help farmers in all parts of Scotland’s Less Favoured Areas, including those in our remote communities. They also represent an important step towards a longer-term support scheme.

Local Government

Mr Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will address any inequalities in funding for the provision of health, local government and policing in the Grampian region compared with allocations for other regions.

Peter Peacock: Local government and health funding are distributed using the Grant Aided Expenditure methodology, and the Arbuthnott formula respectively. These methods take account of a wide range of factors and are accepted as an objective method of distributing resources. The distribution of police funding is under review by a group comprising representatives of the Scottish Executive, COSLA and ACPOS, which has yet to report its findings.

Local Government

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether grants to tenants by local authorities for the upgrading and repair of social housing can be used to pay off council tax arrears.

Iain Gray: This is a matter for local authorities.

NHS

Mr John Home Robertson (East Lothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to accommodate additional demand in the NHS over the winter period.

Hugh Henry: It is very important to make sure that the additional pressures that winter brings to health and social care services do not disrupt care for patients and clients. The NHS and its planning partners have prepared plans which build upon the experience of previous winters, and this is supported by significant extra investment which will increase capacity.

Planning

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what weight local authorities should give to its planning guidelines, in particular to National Planning Policy Guideline 3 , Land for Housing , which deals with the suburbanisation of the countryside.

Iain Gray: National Planning Policy Guidelines (NPPGs) provide statements of Scottish Executive policy on nationally important land use and other planning matters. It is for the decision-maker (normally the planning authority) to assess the weight to be afforded to NPPGs and other relevant issues when reaching a decision.

Planning

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with East Lothian Council on any planning developments that may breach National Planning Policy Guideline 3 , Land for Housing .

Iain Gray: The Executive does not enter into discussions with planning authorities on the planning merits of applications for planning permission, in case they prejudice the position of the Scottish ministers in relation to subsequent notification or appeal procedures.

Planning

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a development at East Saltoun by Cala Homes and the planned housing development at Aberlady are in breach of National Planning Policy Guideline 3, Land for Housing .

Iain Gray: It is up to planning authorities to interpret National Planning Policy Guidelines in the first instance. I cannot comment on the merits of individual planning proposals as this could prejudice the position of the Scottish ministers in relation to future notification or appeal procedures.

Planning

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what weight local authorities should give to the views of existing local residents when considering applications for planning permission that appear to breach National Planning Policy Guideline 3 , Land for Housing.

Iain Gray: The weight given to public concern should be based on the relevance of the planning issues raised, and is a matter for the decision-maker to assess.

Police

Miss Annabel Goldie (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when Part V of the Police Act 1997 will come into force.

Mr Jim Wallace: We are planning to bring the provisions in Part V which deal with the making of regulations, registration and the code of practice into force shortly so that the registration process can start in February 2002. Thereafter, other provisions will be brought into force so that criminal record certificates and enhanced criminal record certificates will start to become available from April 2002.

Public Appointments

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18802 by Angus MacKay on 19 November 2001, whether it will provide information on the number and percentage of applicants for public appointments who declared any political activity.

Patricia Ferguson: The information requested is not available. All applications for public appointments are considered very carefully against the criteria for the appointment in question. As the political activity declaration makes clear, neither activity nor affiliation is a criterion for appointment. Information on the political activities of applicants is not collated centrally. The Commissioner for Public Appointments does not require this information. Most applications are retained for only a very short period and then destroyed.

Public Buildings

Ms Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether public buildings commissioned under Private Finance Initiative schemes will be measured against the criteria set out in its Policy on Architecture  published in October.

Mike Watson: It is the Executive’s aim to act as an exemplar client in its procurement of buildings, whether through Private Finance Initiative or traditional means, and we recognise that good building design is a key to obtaining value for money. The Policy on Architecture commits the Executive to ensuring that design quality is taken into account in the guidance, training and advice made available to Executive clients for construction projects.

Renewable Energy

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the potential market opportunities for firms stemming from the forthcoming Renewables Obligation (Scotland).

Ross Finnie: No such assessment has been made, but we expect the proposed Renewables Obligation (Scotland) to create a significant new demand for renewable energy systems and equipment, and ancillary services. We expect that the entrepreneurial determination and technical expertise of the Scottish renewable energy industry will enable it to exploit the considerable opportunities which this demand will create.

Renewable Energy

Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether measures to encourage the use of solar heating systems in new buildings will be included in plans it has to revise building regulations.

Iain Gray: The measures in the latest amendment to the building standards regulations will improve energy efficiency in all new buildings, but do not prescribe how the standards must be met. Solar heating is encouraged through its inclusion in the calculation of energy ratings that are required to be produced for new dwellings.

Renewables Obligation (Scotland)

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the intended implementation date is for the Renewables Obligation (Scotland).

Ross Finnie: The statutory consultation, which closed recently, raised a number of detailed and complex technical issues which need to be addressed. Consequently, we now intend to introduce the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) on 1 April 2002.

Road Accidents

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in reducing the incidence of road accidents.

Lewis Macdonald: Significant progress has been made. Figures relating to injury road accidents and casualties in Scotland in 2000 were published on 22 November in Road Accidents Scotland 2000 , a copy of which is available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 17733). The figures show that the number of injury road accidents in Scotland in 2000 was 2% lower than in 1999 and 26% lower than the average for 1981-85.

  The number of people killed and seriously injured in 2000 was 56% lower than the average for the early 1980s, compared with the target for a one-third reduction in all casualties by 2000.

Roads

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what developments there have been with regard to upgrading the A8000.

Lewis Macdonald: The A8000 is a local road and therefore the responsibility of City of Edinburgh Council. I understand that a public exhibition of the council’s plans was held in Kirkliston on 4 and 5 December, and will move to South Queensferry and Edinburgh over the next two weeks. Progress thereafter will depend on the public reaction to the plans and the necessary Compulsory Purchase and Roads Orders.

Roads

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive why it concluded that the Statement of Practice did not apply to staff transfers under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations associated with the trunk road maintenance contracts tendering process, as referred to in paragraph 15 of Appendix 1 to the submission by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities referred to in the report by the Auditor General for Scotland, The New Trunk Road Contracts: An Examination of the Competition for the Maintenance and Management of the Trunk Road Network ; how it came to this conclusion, and what bodies or organisations it liased with during the decision-making process that led to this conclusion.

Lewis Macdonald: After careful examination, the Scottish Executive concluded that the Statement of Practice did not apply. The Scottish Executive was not the employer of the public sector workers involved, nor did the Scottish Executive or its predecessors ever employ them.

Roads

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive why there was "no obligation on it to protect occupational pensions", as referred to in paragraph 15 of Appendix 1 to the submission by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities referred to in the report by the Auditor General for Scotland, The New Trunk Road Contracts: An Examination of the Competition for the Maintenance and Management of the Trunk Road Network , and what impact this position has had, or will have, on those local authority staff affected.

Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member the answer given to question S1W-20257. The Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment Regulations 1981 do not apply so as to transfer contract terms in relation to membership of occupational pension schemes.

Schools

Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when St Mary’s Episcopal Primary School in Dunblane will have its annual recurrent grant for 2001-02 determined.

Nicol Stephen: Ministers will determine the annual recurrent grant for St Mary’s Episcopal Primary School, Dunblane, as soon as possible.

Student Loans

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the practices and performance of the Student Loans Company Ltd.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The company’s performance against agreed targets as set out in its annual report gives no grounds for concern.

Telecommunications

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made in respect of the collapse of Atlantic Telecom and the discontinuance of telephone lines and numbers for subscribers and to whom and when any such representations were made.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The Scottish Executive was in discussion with the Department of Trade and Industry and Oftel from 8 November 2001 regarding the potential switch-off of the Atlantic Telecom fixed wireless network on 25 November 2001. As soon as it became apparent that there was no possibility of a buyer being found for the fixed wireless network, we began looking at potential options for minimising disruption to Atlantic customers.

  On 24 November 2001, the Scottish Executive and Department of Trade and Industry agreed to pay for the Atlantic fixed wireless network to remain open until 2 January 2002. The network will continue to provide the same limited service of incoming calls, outgoing emergency and toll free calls as has been provided since 10 November 2001. This should give alternative operators, including BT, time to provide customers with a new telephone service and new number.

  We are also paying for a messaging service, which will give former Atlantic customers the opportunity to leave a voicemail message on their old line publicising their new number.

Tourism

Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote eco-tourism.

Mike Watson: VisitScotland intends to take a product-based approach to marketing Scotland. Eco-tourism, which has considerable potential for growth, will be part of a portfolio of outdoor activities. The agency is also developing a Wildlife Tourism Strategy, which it will launch next year.

Traffic

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to reduce delay and disruption to traffic caused by road works carried out by utility companies.

Lewis Macdonald: A consultation paper Reducing Disruption from Utilities Road Works was issued by the Executive on 23 November 2001 to local authorities, utility companies and other interested parties. Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in SPICe.

  In parallel with this, the Executive intends to carry out research into the impact of road works by utility companies on road users.

  Once the responses have been analysed and the research completed, we will be in a better position to assess the scale of any delay and disruption caused, and to decide on the best way forward.

Transport (Scotland) Act 2001

Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to encourage local authorities to utilise the provisions of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 to designate Home Zones.

Lewis Macdonald: We have just begun consultation on draft regulations which set down procedures for local authorities to follow when designating roads as Home Zones. I expect these regulations to be brought into force in April next year. We will also issue best practice guidance to support local authorities when designating a Home Zone.

  We have made available nearly £15 million to local authorities over the period to 2004 for capital expenditure on Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets projects. These resources can be utilised for home zones if authorities so choose.

Vaccinations

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress its Don’t Let the Bug Bite flu campaign is making.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: The latest available figures confirm that, at 31 October, 49.2% of people aged 65 and over had been vaccinated against flu.

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Holyrood Project

Ms Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer why STATS Specialist Engineering, Materials and Environmental Consultants has not been paid for its report on cladding materials for the new Parliament building.

Sir David Steel: I understand that the report referred to in the question was the result of a contract between Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd and STATS Specialist Engineering, Materials and Environmental Consultants. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that payment has not yet been made for this report, which was in connection with the MSP building cladding contract, due to the financial difficulties of the contractor, Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd, who have now gone into receivership. The matter is now in the hands of the official receiver.

Holyrood Project

Ms Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer why Spittal stone was selected for cladding for the new Parliament building in preference to Weydale stone, given that Weydale stone does not change colour or de-laminate when in contact with water.

Sir David Steel: The selection   of   Spittal stone for cladding the MSP office building, in preference to Weydale stone,   was on the grounds that its darker colour suited the aesthetic requirements of the project. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that the results of the testing of Spittal stone must remain commercially confidential, as they could potentially impact upon the future business of the supplier concerned.

Holyrood Project

Ms Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer whether proof of fitness for purpose has been sought for the Spittal stone ordered for wash basin surrounds in the new Parliament building.

Sir David Steel: No order has yet been placed for wash basin surrounds   within the new Scottish Parliament building. Spittal stone suits the aesthetic requirements of the project however, and is tried and tested in the horizontal plane. I understand, from the Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group, that fitness for purpose of the material chosen for wash basin surrounds will need to be demonstrated by the successful contractor.

Holyrood Project

Ms Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer why a tendering process was not followed in relation to obtaining all stone cladding materials for the new Parliament building.

Sir David Steel: All procurement in respect of the new Scottish Parliament building is carried out in accordance with EC public procurement regulations.

Holyrood Project

Ms Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer whether Caithness Stone Industries Ltd has been paid for stone supplied for the new Parliament building.

Sir David Steel: I understand that Caithness Stone Industries Ltd have not yet been paid in connection with the MSP building cladding contract. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that this is due to the financial difficulties of the contractor, Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd, who have now gone into receivership. The matter is now in the hands of the official receiver.

Holyrood Project

Ms Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer whether Caithness flagstone ordered from Caithness Stone Industries Ltd is costed at £500 per square metre.

Sir David Steel: I refer Ms MacDonald to my answer to question S1W-20206 today and confirm that information held by the Parliament, relating to specific financial arrangements between the Parliament’s contractors and their sub-contractors, is commercially confidential.